Mike Riley says he likes the challenge of recruiting players like Jacquizz and James Rodgers (shown here, left to right, in 2008) to Oregon State.Ross William Hamilton /The Oregonian

SAN ANTONIO -- Mike Riley and his players have talked all December about
what it'll be like to go up against a program of such gravitas and
tradition and now that they're in San Antonio, those questions are
coming full force.

Riley was recounting for reporters how little ol' Oregon State managed to persuade Texas
natives James and Jacquizz Rodgers to come all the way to Corvallis when
a reporter asked, rather bluntly, what it's like to have to work at
recruiting.

As the reporter pointed out, Texas is in a position to pretty much pick whomever they want.

Riley laughed.

"I love the world that we're in," he said. "We've been there a long time
and realized what we have to do: we have to do a great job of
evaluation and a long job of recruiting. We don't find out all our
commitments until signing day (in February).

"We have to recruit a long time, but we know who we are, and we know our
product, too. We know what we have, so we love talking to families
about our place. It's fun to find the right guy to come to Oregon
State."

And at least for the foreseeable future, some of those guys will be from
the Midwest: The Beavers already have commitments for the 2013 class
from Damien Haskins, a running back from New Boston, Texas, and X'Zavier
Preston, a linebacker from Shreveport, La.

Marquee game: Riley and Oregon State athletic director Bob De Carolis
have a history of scheduling some big-time nonconference games -- think
LSU, TCU, Wisconsin, etc. -- but in all their years together, Riley
didn't recall trying to schedule a home-and-home with Texas.

"That's why it's fun," Riley said. "Texas is a place with rich tradition."

Riley acknowledged that playing Top 25 teams (often on the road) hasn't
always been the best way to get a jump in September, but he often can't
resist the challenge.

"In our world it's so competitive," Riley said. "You need to get bowl
eligible but (nonconference games) are more fun. I think our program has
thrived on that. We haven't always done well, but it's been really good
for our growth. And to be able to do it in a bowl game is even more
special."